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Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning
Register Today!
Browse our Spring 2025 Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning offerings. Subjects include art, business, technology, health, financial literacy, and more. Review the courses and register today!
Five Fridays of Jazz 2025
March 7 – April 4
6:30 PM
Fridays have never sounded so good! Join us for 5 Fridays of Jazz at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue). Offered in partnership with the Overton Park Shell and the Memphis Library Foundation.
Richard Wright Literary Awards
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
March 27, 5PM
Memphis Public Libraries will hold the 3rd annual Richard Wright Literary Awards, celebrating and awarding local authors in various categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and illustration.
MPL Comic Con Art Contest
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
May 31, 10 AM – 3 PM
Art Contest now taking submissions!
Calling all comic artists! Submissions are now open for the Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con Art Contest—if accepted, your artwork will be displayed at the Benjamin L. Hooks’ Goodwyn Art Gallery throughout May and entered for a chance to win awesome prizes. Winners will be announced at Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con on Saturday, May 31
Bookstock
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
May 3, 11AM
Bookstock is the largest annual local authors festival in Memphis! This free, family-friendly event features a fantastic lineup of keynote speakers, performances, workshops, exhibits, and activities for all ages. Keynote speakers Roxane Gay and Shamichael Hallman.
Compose Yourself
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Wednesdays, April 2-30, 5:30 PM
Unleash your inner writer and bring Memphis history to life in this immersive 4-week workshop led by University of Memphis faculty! Dive into the city’s past through Dig Memphis archival photos and stories, craft compelling narratives, and celebrate your work with a final reading and a bound copy of your work! Register now!
D is for Dance: Jazz for Littles
Multiple Libraries
Throughout March
Join us for a fun-filled hour of song and dance designed for children aged 0–4 and their caregivers! Led by dance instructor and new father Dorian Rhea, this interactive class will include parent-child bonding exercises, rhythmic exploration with props and instruments, and plenty of movement fun.
MPL Unbound
A Publication of the Memphis Library Foundation
Welcome to the first issue of MPL UNBOUND, the quarterly magazine for Memphis Public Libraries. This magazine expands on the library’s mission to meet the public where they are and put the library in their hands. We believe this is one of a kind for any U.S. public library system. Pick up a print copy at any branch or read the digital version online!
Seed Library and Colorcopia
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
3rd Tuesdays, 1-2 PM
Join The Dixon Garden and Gallery’s Shawna White for a monthly arts class inspired by the ever changing seasons. In these nature themed arts classes, all you need to bring is your creativity for a great time while having great conversation. All supplies provided; all skill levels welcome!
Creative Aging Programs
Talented professional artists and musicians play, perform and teach at locations where seniors live and gather. Musical performances and hands-on arts workshops reach diverse audiences, improving participants’ cognitive vitality and emotional well-being, and making arts access a reality.
Gardening Programs with Booker T. Leigh
Make your garden the best yet with Memphis Public Libraries gardening programs, hosted by Booker T. Leigh, happening all over the city!
Passport Services with Probate Court Clerk
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
3rd Thursdays (except June)
Planning to travel outside of the United States? Schedule an appointment to process your Passport on the 3rd Thursdays of each month. Easy free parking at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Provided by the Probate Court Clerk.
Tax Assistance
Are you 60 and up or do you have a family income of $67,000 or less? If so, then you can receive free tax assistance from AARP or United Way’s Free Tax Prep. Find out more information here.
Teen Reading Challenge
Various locations
January – May
Get a free book each month, handpicked for teens. Explore new genres and find your next favorite read! After reading, share your review online and tag CLOUD901 or tell us what you liked (or didn’t). Read all 5 books for a pizza party and a chance to win a Nintendo Switch!
Keep up with Memphis Public Libraries!
Check out our Monthly Newsletter or other email options
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Upcoming Events
View our full calendar of events!
Cossitt Library
Wed., Mar. 26, 6:00 pm
Best Sellers and Other Suggestions
Library Updates
Senior Line Dancing
Whitehaven Library held Senior Line Dancing this past Saturday. Our Patrons had a blast learning how to do the Wobble…
3rd Annual Just Because We Care
The North Branch Library would like to Thank, MATA Retirees, Mrs. Connie Booker of Cathedral of Faith, Mr. Reginald Johnson…
30 Days of Opera Memphis at South
We had a good time with 30 Days of Opera Memphis. The Opera singer Marcus King musician Jonathan King were…
Japanese Takeover at Whitehaven
Whitehaven Library held Japanese Takeover (the monthly anime and manga club). Patrons learned how to make tuna mayo rice balls…
Popular Resources
Start your genealogical journey today!
Have a question you need answered? Or a suggestion for the collection? Start Here!
Are you missing the ability to browse our shelves for books for your children? Use Book Bundles and we’ll pick out a bundle of books for your child!
Search the local newspaper all the way back to 1847.
Check out our online Digital Archives and explore Memphis history through photos and more!
Check out E-books and E-AudioBooks through Libby by OverDrive! You can visit the new Libby site or visit the original OverDrive site.
Memphis Public Libraries lends non-traditional items, too! You can try before you buy, discover a new hobby, or borrow a device you’ll only need to use once. Kits include Camping, Karaoke, Yard Games, Outdoor Movies, and Nature Exploration.
If you are looking for help, or want to provide someone with help, just dial 2-1-1 to reach the community information and referral resources of LINC, the Library Information Center at the Memphis Public Library.
Our magazine collection has moved to Libby! Check out our collection of current and popular magazines.
Streaming current local music for free. Local musicians: Submit a sample for inclusion.
The New York Times digital subscription is available at home!
Gale Presents: Udemy is an online learning platform for adults who want to improve work-related skills or further develop a personal interest.
We now offer access to Value Line, a single, cost-effective research package covering multiple asset classes that can transform an average investor into an extremely profitable one.
